Root system of seabuckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides L.)

Nutrient availability is one of the limiting factors for plant growth and development, and the nutrients on Earth are unevenly distributed. To overcome this, plants adapt by modifying their morphology and physiology, especially of the root system. Seabuckthorn is a small tree growing in temperate regions of Europe and Asia. It performs symbiotic N₂ fixation and has high adaptability to environmental constraints. This thesis examined factors shaping the root system of seabuckthorn. It was found that seabuckthorn has the ability to produce structures with dense lateral roots called cluster roots (CRs). Different patterns of root system were found at genotype level; Pk, a wild accession of H. rhamnoides ssp. turkestanica originating from unfertile soils, produced more CRs than cultivars BHi10726 and Sunny with a breeding history in fertile soils. Reduced availability of phosphorus (P), nitrogen or iron affected root morphology by increased lateral roots and CR formation, which may explain the competitive and invasive nature of this plant on nutrient-deficient soils. Abundant compounds in CRs found by metabolite analysis using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy were asparagine, glycine and malate, an organic acid involved in mobilization of P from soil. In Pk as compared to cv. Sunny, the concentration of root metabolites was higher. In roots under low P, RNA sequencing revealed transcripts involved in primary root metabolism, P homeostasis and metabolism consistent with a P-deficient response. To assess functions of CRs which have a determinate growth pattern, analysis of metabolites and transcripts could display changes towards a P-deficient metabolism as well as anaerobic metabolism at later developmental stages of CR. As an enzyme central to organic acid metabolism in plants, the gene family encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (HrPPC) was characterised. Both plant-type and bacterial-type isoforms were found with tissue-specific expression patterns and with higher expression of HrPPC2 under low P. In vitro studies showed that auxin stimulated formation of lateral roots at low P levels, while high P gave high formation of shoots from roots, another trait of the seabuckthorn root system. This study provides a basis to understand functions and roles of CRs in seabuckthorn as an actinorhizal representative among the three groups of CR-forming plants

Short-term oral administration of risperidone induces pancreatic damage and hyperamylasemia in Sprague-dawley rats

Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic acting mainly as a dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT2 receptors antagonist prescribed in the treatment of schizophrenia and various affective disorders. Risperidone has been reported to be associated with weight gain, panreatitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Various mechanisms of risperidone-induced toxicities have been reported but the histology of tissues especially pancreas has never been studied. Therefore, the current study was designed to elucidate the toxic effects of chronic administration of risperidone on pancreas, liver and kidneys. Animals (rats) of either gender were divided into two groups, the risperidone and control groups. Risperidone was administered in a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/d for three weeks. The controls received acidified saline only. Both the groups received restricted diet (20 g/12 h). The body weight and level of random blood sugar (RBS) were measured on a weekly basis. The levels of lipase and amylase were determined at the conclusion of the experiment. At the end of the experiment, the tissues were dissected out for histopathological evaluation. Risperidone showed no weight gain, hyperglycemia or rise in the level of lipase (P> 0.05); however, the level of amylase was raised (***P<0.05). Histological examination under light microscope showed no hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity but did show damage to the pancreas. The findings of this study indicated that the incidence of adverse effects associated with risperidone could be prevented/alleviated/delayed by allowing restricted diet

Evolution of Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase encoding transcripts in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Background: Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31) is an important enzyme encoded by a gene family of at least 2-8 plant type and 1-2 bacterial type genes depending upon genome size or species complexity. This enzyme functions as catalyst for the β-carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to form oxaloacetate in cytoplasm. It is involved in carbon fixation and various other plant metabolic pathways.Methods: In this study we characterized the evolutionary perspective of PPC transcripts and their abundance pattern in different plant tissues of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.).Results: The current study revealed that PEPC enzyme in chickpea is encoded by a gene family of at least 6 transcripts. All active site residues of C3 PEPCs were found in transcripts. Phylogenetic analysis of the amino acid sequences showed two major groups PTPC and BTPC from different ancestral lineages. Divergence of PTPC in two groups and further convergence within species was found in most of the plants while multiple evolutionary divergences was likely to be specific in legumes including chickpea.Conclusion: CaPPC genes are regulated under various abiotic stress. Furthermore, the expression pattern of the identified genes can be helpful to explore plant metabolism of chickpea under abiotic stresses, which can be the next step to explore more into this gene family in chickpea.Keywords: Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase transcripts; Chickpea; Phylogen

EXPLORING MADRASSA EDUCATION WITH REFERENCE TO CHILD RIGHTS IN PAKISTAN

Education is the main pillar for the development of a country. Madrassa education systems have a sensitive and important role in Pakistan. This system produces religious leaders whom peoples follow as spiritual leaders, but the international world has different perceptions about Madrassa. The purpose of this study was to explore how Madrassa management implements the student’s rights and what are the causes of violation of student’s rights in Madrassa. This study was qualitative in nature to understand in-depth knowledge of Madrassa education phenomena. The population of the study was students and teachers of the Madrassa education system. The samples of the study were 08 students and 08 teachers of Madrassas from district Rawalpindi and a purposive sampling technique was used for the study. Data was collected personally through semi-structured interviews. The data was analyzed using the direct quotation method. The findings of the study demonstrate that Madrassa systems have limited sources and government does not own Madrassa like a public institution, so Madrassa has a lot of barriers in the implementation of children's rights. The staff of Madrassa education without professional development is the cause of violation of child’s rights. Government should provide funding and other facilities to Madrassa like public educational institutions and reforms should bring after holding the trust of Madrassa stakeholders

Impact of China Pakistan Economic Corridor on Local Economy and Tourism Development: Case of Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

This study is aimed to analyze the role of tourism in affecting the local economy of Hunza. The Structural Equation Modeling was applied for knowing the local people perception about CPEC projects and their effect on tourism economy development. In addition, descriptive statistics tools using STAT 12 have been used for the data analysis and prior to analysis, Cronbach’s alpha test was used to check reliability of various items of the questionnaire. The data werecollected from students, retailers, hotel owners, tour operators and travel agents. Results reveal that according to the respondents, CPEC is a game changer for the economy. In addition, there is significant effect of CPEC projects on the tourism development in Hunza. Results of the study also revealed that CPEC projects have negative effect on environment and local culture

Comparative evaluation of pancreatic histopathology of rats treated with olanzapine, risperidone and streptozocin

Olanzapine and risperidone are widely prescribed atypical antipsychotics used in the treatment of schizophrenia and various other psychiatric disorders. Both of these drugs have been extensively reported to cause Type 2 diabetes mellitus and pancreatitis, however, the mechanism of olanzapine and risperidone-induced toxicity has not been so far unveiled. We, therefore, compared the streptozocininduced pancreatic damage with that of pancreas isolated from olanzapine and risperidone treated rats. It was noticed that fibrotic growth, necrosis and derangement of the pancreatic islet cells caused by streptozocin were more pronounced than olanzapine and risperidone

Comparative Risk of Surgical Site Infection With Open Cholecystectomy Vs Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the risk of surgical site infection with open vs laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODOLOGY: This randomized control trial was done at the Department of Surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, for 12 months from 11/5/2018 to 11/5/2019. 116 patients were recruited for this study, 58 for each group randomly allocated to a group by lottery method and concealed Allocation. Patients in Group A underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, while patients in group B underwent open cholecystectomy. According to ward protocol, post-operative analgesia & antibiotics were given to patients in both groups. Expert consultant general surgeons did all the evaluation & procedures; all the patients were followed up to 30 days after the procedure & any surgical site infections, if found, were noted. RESULTS: The mean age was 36 years ± 12.19 SD and 38 years ± 11.88 SD in laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, respectively. In laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 28% of patients were male, and 72% of patients were female, while in open cholecystectomy, 29% of patients were male, and 71% of patients were female. 07% of laparoscopic and 26% of open cholecystectomy patients had surgical site infections.  CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that the frequency of surgical site infection was found less in laparoscopic cholecystectomy than in open cholecystectomy

Outcome of thyroid lobectomies undergone with and without drains

Background: Thyroid lobectomy is a common operative technique of management of benign solitary thyroid nodules in which drains are used routinely. Objective of this study to compare the outcome of thyroid lobectomies undergone with and without drains in patients of benign solitary thyroid nodules.Methods: A comparative cross-sectional research was completed on 98 patients of benign solitary thyroid nodules at surgery department of Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro. Patients having age of 18-60 years underwent thyroid lobectomies were included and distributed in two groups A and B. Group A includes thyroid lobectomies with drain and Group B without drain. Postoperative outcomes including pain score assessed via visual analog score (VAS), hospital stay and complications including wound infection, seroma and hematoma.Results: Out of 98 cases, 49 underwent thyroid lobectomy with drain and 49 without a drain. Females patients were in majority in group A 42 (85.7%) and also in group B 47 (95.9%). No significant difference (p-value=0.674) was in mean age of group A 30.8±10.2 years and group B 31.8±12.2 years. Higher mean with significant difference (p-value=0.001) was in pain score of group A 5.61±1.25 as compared to group B 3.55±0.70. No significant difference was in complications; seroma 1 (2.04%) vs 5 (10.20%), hematoma 1 (2.04%) vs 1 (2.04%) and infection 3 (6.12%) vs 0 (0.0%) in group A and B respectively. Higher mean with significant difference (p-value=0.001) was in hospital stay of group A 2.40±1.57 days as compared to group B 1.42±0.54 days. No significant difference (p-value=0.748) was in overall rate of complications in group A 5 (10.20%) and B 6 (12.24%).Conclusions: Thyroid lobectomy with drain is not effective in lowering the postoperative complications whereas enhanced the risk of postoperative pain, wound infection and duration of hospital stay as compared to thyroid lobectomy without a drain

Olanzapine induced biochemical and histopathological changes after its chronic administration in rats

AbstractObjective: Olanzapine is a second generation antipsychotic acting mainly as a dopamine D2 and serotonine 5-HT2 receptors antagonist prescribed in the treatment of schizophrenia and various other psychiatric illnesses. Even though olanzapine is widely used in psychiatry, its effects on the architecture of pancreas, liver and kidneys are little known. The histology of pancreas especially has never been studied. For these reasons, the current study was designed to elucidate the toxic effects of chronic administration of olanzapine on pancreas, liver and kidneys and the enzymes released by these tissues in an escalating dose manner. Methods: Fourteen male rats were divided into two groups equally, the olanzapine group and the controls. Olanzapine was administered in a dose of 5mg/kg/d for the first eight weeks, 10mg/kg/d for next four weeks and 15mg/kg/d through the last two week period of 14weeks experiment. The controls received acidified saline only. Both the groups received restricted diet (20g/12h). The body weight and level of random blood sugar (RBS) were measured on a weekly basis. The levels of lipase, amylase, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were determined terminally. At the end of the experiment, the tissues were dissected out for histopathological evaluation. Results: Significant loss in body weight, change in the level of random blood sugar (∗∗P<0.05, ∗∗∗P<0.001) and significant rise in amylase and lipase levels (∗P<0.05, ∗∗∗P<0.001) were observed. However, the same treatment has shown no significant change in the levels of alanine and aspartate transaminases (P>0.05). The pancreas has shown derangement of beta cells and fibrotic growth. A mild to moderate focal increase in glomerular cellularity, cellular proliferation and glomerular capsules with negligible basement membranes were observed in the kidneys. No changes were observed in the architecture of the liver. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that the incidence of adverse effects associated with olanzapine could be prevented/alleviated/delayed by allowing restricted diet

Richter’s Hernia: A Case Report

Richter’s hernia (partial enterocele) is rare disease in which there is a swelling or/and entrapment of a small part of intestine along its antimesenteric border due to minor defect in abdominal wall. Diagnosis of Richter’s hernia & their associated complications are difficult due to absence of obstructive symptoms with presence of early strangulation thereby increases mortality to 20-60%. For early diagnosis of Richter’s hernia ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) are utilized and emergency surgery is necessary to obviate complications of disease. Here, we are presenting a case of 20-year male patient reporting for abdominal pain radiating to right hypochondria, anorexia and low-grade fever for 24 hours in which an incidental diagnosis of Richter’s Hernia along with acute appendicitis was made